Lucky Dog-Kegerator Question

Jim W · Post by **Jim W** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 5:23 pm

OK. I am a lucky dog. My neighbor has given 5 kegs and nearly everything I need to get started kegging.

So my next step is the trusty kegerator. I have exhausted myself fantasizing about set ups online.

At one point I even decided to just go ahead and get one pre-made. Then economic reality set it.

So please, everyone give me their thoughts on building a kegerator and what I need.

From what I can tell, the individual parts are the best way for me to go, unless someone knows of a good conversion kit, out there. Besides, everyone's opinion, I am looking for a list of exactly what I need to convert. I am going to go with either 2,3, or 4 taps.

Davin · Post by **Davin** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 6:44 pm

I got my conversion kit here:

http://www.beveragefactory.com/draftbee ... kits.shtml

Pretty much everything you need to do a one keg system other than the fridge and kegs. Then you can add to it from there.

I kegged my first batch this weekend, though I've had some fridge issues so I've got it at room temp sitting behind the bar at the moment.

Chris Alvey · Post by **Chris Alvey** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 7:36 am

In my very limited experience, here are the conclusions I have come up with :

1. A chest freezer still seems the best way to go for my money - more floor surface, able to be converted via wooden collar easily and cheaply.

2. A manifold system from a single regulator seems ample for a multi-keg setup. The manifold will probably leak unless it is sealed with some kind of liquid sealant. Tape just doesn't seem adequate. example: http://www.northernbrewer.com/pics/full ... utor-4.jpg

3. I like that red gas tubing better than the 'braided' kind.

4. When getting one of those temperature controllers, go for the more expensive digital one versus the less expensive, manual one. The digital one goes 'both ways' {so to speak} where the other one just causes the fridge/freeze to kick on when the temp is above a certain level and, thus, can't be used with a heating source in the wintertime if you wanted.

5. kegged beer goes super fast, which, damn it all, means more brewing. shucks.

jefrey3 · Post by **jefrey3** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 5:07 pm

I made mine from a chest freezer, but my neighbor just moved to a condo & gave me an old refrigerator. The refrigerator is available to anyone who wants it. There are always kegerator kits listed on ebay.
I don't know that they are any cheaper. You basically need a tower to mount to the lid of a chest freezer or shanks for though the door of a refrigerator. Also needed are faucets, gas lines, beer lines, CO2 tank, CO2 regulator, a manifold or splitter for gas to each tank, quick connects for each keg, clamps to attach the hoses. Not required, but highly recommended are shut off valves for each gas line & a drain tray under the faucets. Don't forget the tap handles.

Jim W · Post by **Jim W** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 6:14 pm

I may have some interest in that fridge. I have someone checking about a scratch and dent model and if that falls through, I am going to need to go in a different direction. How much do they want for it? It would appear that I have become obsessed with this kegging deal.

jefrey3 · Post by **jefrey3** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 10:12 pm

It is free.

Davin · Post by **Davin** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 10:17 pm

Jim, Kegging is definitely the way to go, i understand your obsession.

I've still got mine sitting on the floor at room temp and the beer I had this evening was still one of the best in my memory.

The good news is that I got my fridge issues worked out, had to get a new one. This one was not only free, the guy wants it gone so bad he is going ot deliver it.

So i should have cold beer for the weekend. Of course that means I need to brew more too.

sirgiovanni · Post by **sirgiovanni** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 7:43 am

Just lucked out big time! President of my company just sent me email pics of a kegorator he confiscated from his 18 year old son's college apartment. It only ran 4 kegs after he purchased it brand new this year. He said he is a highly motivated seller and wants me to get it out of his garage this week.

Good thing I didn't order the parts for the fridge door.

rbirkle · Post by **rbirkle** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 1:09 pm

I am looking for a fridge as well. Let me know if anyone knows where to find a cheap one.

sirgiovanni · Post by **sirgiovanni** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 11:29 am

profiting off the mistakes of america's youth.

Jim W · Post by **Jim W** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:52 pm

How big is the fridge that you have?
I keep looking to see if a full size fridge will fit in the garage, and I can't really get it figured. But, golly the price is right.

Davin · Post by **Davin** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 7:42 am

This is stage one of mine. I have quite a bit more work to do, but I had a couple kegs I needed to get serving so I hurried it along.

Unfortunately due to breaking the arbor on my hole saw, I ended up cutting the right side slightly higher than the left.

[albumimg]257[/albumimg]

Chris Norrick · Post by **Chris Norrick** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 8:08 am

It still looks nice. The black is perfect.

Davin · Post by **Davin** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 8:39 am

Yeah I was pleasantly surprised when it arrived and was black, since it was a freebie and I had not seen it before.

I need to remove the inner door panel and replace it, when I do, I'm going to even out the taps and possible add one more and a larger drip tray. To even them out I'm going to add a 12"strip of diamond plate on the upper portion of the fridge door. Also the freezer is going to get sanded and a couple coats of black chalkboard paint, if it looks odd I'll put a coat on the lower door as well to even it out.

Jim W · Post by **Jim W** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 5:40 pm

I really like the idea of the blackboard paint. I have a whiteboard that I keep brewing notes on, and it would be nice to use your method instead.